Doctoral Student
What year did you start the program?
2021
List your prior degrees and institutions
BS, Occupational Therapy, Jordan, Irbid
MA-OT, New York University, New York, NY
What is your current research setting, mentor’s name, and name of lab (if appropriate).
PhD Research Fellow in the Cognitive- Motor Behavior Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions
Mentors: Prue Plummer, PhD, PT, BPhysio(Hons)
What is the focus of your current research?
I am interested in exploring the relationship between motor-cognitive impairments and social environment and studying their impact on community participation and quality of life for people with neurological disorders. Also, I am interested in investigating and advancing effective methods and technologies that promote functional outcomes and increase community accessibility for this population.
What do you think is special about the PhD in RS program here at IHP?
The multi-disciplinary team gives me the opportunity of learning from and working with other health-care professionals, and the ability to tailor my own unique research focus with adequate support. Also, the institution has connections to multiple highly reputable universities and leading healthcare hospitals worldwide, which supports research conduction and enriches my experience in the academic and clinical fields.
Why did you choose to come to this program rather than a doctoral research program in your specific profession?
Because after 7 years practice, I realized that in practical life, health professionals will have to work together in order to deliver an effective healthcare service for patients. Also, as an occupational therapist in an evolving profession, I believe working with other professions will assist in expanding the boundaries of this profession, increase its awareness, enrich its body-knowledge, and assist in the innovation of new effective methods and technologies for evaluation and treatment.
What are your goals for the future after you graduate?
- To contribute to the occupational therapy education as a teaching professor.
- To conduct research in order to develop effective evidence-based strategies and technologies that assist people with neuro-motor and cognitive disorder have better quality of life.
- To provide consultations for patients with neuromotor-cognitive impairments, their caregivers, and related-stakeholders.
- To advocate for increasing community accessibility for people with motor and cognitive disabilities nationally and internationally.